One Sec Tech

Miss Ellie, the little Chinese Crested hairless dog with bulging eyes, pimples and a dangling tongue, and winner of Animal Planet’s “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest in 2009, died. She was 17.

The Mountain Press reported Thursday that Ellie starred in shows at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge.

She also appeared on The Animal Planet cable show “Dogs 101″ and was on billboards and in a commercial.

Ellie may have been one of the highest paid pets on TV and in media. Her picture was splashed across billboards, bus benches and other places in big vinyl letters. She was beloved by locals and known for her outgoing personality and her connection to may charitable organizations.

Pigeon Forge Mayor Keith Whaley proclaimed Nov. 12 as “Miss Ellie Day” for her owner’s efforts to raise money for the local humane society. Over the years, Ellie helped raise more than $100,000 for the Sevier County Humane Society.

She will be cremated.

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My Take: I agree: Ellie was the ugliest dog in the world. I’m not sure she’d ever have been considered a candidate for police dog training, but she did have character. It possible her charitable organization “work” might have an influence on dog owners out there and they will look into problem solving dog training for their own pets in order to get them into show business as well.

I do remember Elli’s image was a popular one a few years ago, splattered on everything you could imagine including backboards alongside custom wall words at sporting events. I think she may have made more money in her short career than I’ve made in a lifetime.  I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this dog on cards before, and that’s income, too, for her owner.  They weren’t baby shower invitaitons.  And, come to think of it, mostly likely not communion invitations, but they were cards fro all occassions.

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